Private sector housing fines exceed £450,000 as council cracks down on rogue landlords

25th February, 2019

New analysis has shown that since Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs was first elected Mayor in 2015, Tower Hamlets Council has secured £457,842 in fines, fees and compensation from action taken against landlords and agents who do not respect private renters’ rights.

Housing is one of the key priorities for the Labour Mayor and councillors and there has been a focus on delivering new council and affordable homes, and ensuring that residents living in private sector housing are protected and benefit from high quality housing.

Since the Mayor’s election in 2015, the Council has taken tough action against private sector landlords where standards fall below what is required. This action has included fining those responsible, prosecution and in some cases a custodial sentence.

This crackdown is matched by a number of other initiatives such as a landlord licensing scheme and a Private Renters’ Charter to drive up standards for those living in private sector homes.

The Mayor’s budget proposals, agreed at a meeting of Tower Hamlets Council on the 20th February, included significant investment in housing in the borough, with £217m earmarked for new council housing and £115m for temporary accommodation.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs said: “With 18,000 people in Tower Hamlets on the housing waiting list, housing is one of our top priorities and we are focussed on making sure that we have a strong supply of new council and affordable homes, and that those who rent privately live in high quality homes.

“We’re determined to drive up standards for our residents living in private sector homes, and we won’t hesitate to go after unscrupulous rogue landlords.

“London is in the midst of a housing crisis and while the Tory Government might be shy of taking action, we certainly aren’t.”

Deputy Mayor for Housing, Cllr Sirajul Islam, said: “We’re making good progress on meeting our manifesto commitments to provide 2,000 new council homes and we’ve recently agreed over £332m investment in new council housing and temporary accommodation.

“We also have a duty to those living in private sector homes which is why we’ve been cracking down on rogue landlords. Over the last few years we have secured over £450,000 in fines, fees and compensation and introduced innovative measures like the Private Renters’ Charter.